The VISOR, acronym for Visual Instrument and Sensory OrganReplacement, was a medical device used in the Federation to aid patients who have suffered loss of eyesight or who were born blind. The VISOR detected electromagnetic signals across the entire EM spectrum between 1 Hz and 100,000 THz and transmitted those signals to the brain through neural implants in the temples of the individual via delta-compressed wavelengths. (TNG: "The Masterpiece Society") The result was a vastly different visual acuity, with VISOR-wearers able to see in the infrared and ultraviolet ranges and beyond. To normal Human eyes, the images relayed through the VISOR could seem disorienting and unfamiliar. (TNG: "Heart of Glory", "The Enemy", "The Mind's Eye")

According to the script of TNG: "Identity Crisis", La Forge wore "a slightly different, earlier version of his VISOR" in 2362 while still serving on the USS Victory. It is a little hard to see in the few scenes that show La Forge during that year, but it seems that he is wearing another VISOR in the episode. His VISOR in 2363 was completely silver in contrast to the two versions he regularly wore in the series, each of which which had silver bands and golden tines.

La Forge once joked that he could see through a certain type of playing card while explaining to Worf how he knew his cards. He dismissed the joke, stating that he peeks at the cards before one folds. (TNG: "Ethics")

The VISOR inadvertently caused several problems as well. Using it caused La Forge physical pain, a result of his natural senses conflicting with the artificial sensory input from the device. Dr. Beverly Crusher offered him the options of either painkillers or exploratory surgery to desensitize the areas of his brain that were being affected, but La Forge declined both because they would interfere with the operation of the VISOR itself. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") When Romulans kidnapped La Forge in 2367, they were able to use his existing neural implants to tap directly into his visual cortex and secretly brainwash him. As the VISOR was capable of receiving E-band emissions, a collaborator was able to remotely control the brainwashed La Forge with an E-band transmitter. (TNG: "The Mind's Eye")

When activated, the VISOR emitted a short-range subspace field pulse. While usually harmless, it was this emission that caused Worf to shift between universes in 2370 whenever he was in close proximity with the device. The pulse aggravated the quantum flux that Worf had been experiencing after coming into contact with a quantum fissure. (TNG: "Parallels")

Background

Geordi's VISOR was a reproduction of a plastic barrette which generally fits over a womans head. Scenic Artist Michael Okuda brought it one day to the production after several test models for a VISOR were produced. (Herman Zimmerman, TNG Season 1 DVD special feature "The Making of a Legend", part "VISOR")

By looking closely at some episodes, including "Home Soil", a tiny filament can be seen stretching from the VISOR prop to behind actor LeVar Burton's ear, used to keep the prop attached to his face.

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